June 15, 2023
Kenya: Did the Kenyan President Threaten to Sack Legislators Who Would Oppose a Key Finance Bill?
IN SHORT: A video posted on TikTok is captioned as though Kenyan president William Ruto threatened to "fire" members of parliament who voted against his party's proposed bill. But… Read more »
Kenya: Don't Be Conned By Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan First Lady and Offering Loans
IN SHORT: Kenya's first lady Rachel Ruto does not have a Facebook account specifically dedicated to offering loans to the public. Ignore all posts that make these scam offers. Read more »
Kenya: Does This Video Show an Earthquake in a Kenyan Town? No, It's a Video Effect
IN SHORT: A video posted online purports to show an earthquake in a Kenyan town. But it is just ordinary footage of a town with a wavy video editing effect applied to it. Read more »
Kenya: Kenyans, Do Not Be Conned By These Facebook Accounts Offering Bogus Promotions
IN SHORT: There are Facebook accounts promising Kenyan users large amounts of money, featuring the names and photos of local celebrities. But be warned - the accounts are run by… Read more »
June 14, 2023
Kenya: Beware Fake Facebook Account Misusing Name of Kenya's First Lady Rachel Ruto
IN SHORT: Africa Check has exposed several Facebook accounts falsely claiming to offer cash and loans in the name of Kenya's first lady, Rachel Ruto. This is yet another. Read more »
Nigeria: No Evidence Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu Has Suspended State Oil Firm Boss As Claimed Online
IN SHORT: The new leader of the country is setting up his stall, but there is no evidence to suggest that he has removed Mele Kyari from office. Read more »
Nigeria: Nigerian NGO Fails to Support Claims About Country's Corn Output and Its Alleged Medical Use
Is Nigeria the largest producer of corn in Africa? And can corn leaves be used to treat wounds and illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis? We checked four claims by the Health of… Read more »
June 13, 2023
Kenya: Ignore False Claims That the Former Chair of the Kenya's Electoral Commission Has Died
Several social media posts claim that the former chair of Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafula Chebukati, has died. Read more »
Nigeria: New President Bola Tinubu Appoints 27 Ministers? No, Ignore Circulating List
As the country awaits a new cabinet, lists circulating on social media claim to name those who've made the grade. But it's not to be trusted. Read more »
June 12, 2023
South Africa: Don't Fall for Unfounded Scare Claims About Measles Vaccination
An article by a prominent anti-vaccine campaigner in South Africa and widely circulated on social media makes many baseless claims. But even the hint of doubt could be enough to… Read more »
Kenya: Beware! Facebook Page 'Free Joining Illuminati Nakuru Temple' Is Just Another Fake Page With Scam Offers
IN SHORT: Scammers are targeting Facebook users in Kenya, promising them money and riches if they join the Illuminati. Know the signs of a scam and be careful not to become their… Read more »
Africa: No Evidence Garlic-Infused Water Can Treat Yeast Infections - Seek Medical Advice
IN SHORT: Garlic is a common ingredient in home remedies, and has been shown to have some medicinal properties. But there is conflicting evidence and not enough research to say it… Read more »
June 09, 2023
South Africa: No Evidence South Africa's Governing Party Will 'Load Shed' Essential Social Grants in 2024
IN SHORT: South Africa's temporary Covid relief grant benefits about 10 million people, but will end in March 2024. But this doesn't mean all social grants, for old people,… Read more »
Nigeria: Is Nokia Running a 'Hot' Phone Giveaway to Facebook Users in Nigeria and South Africa? No, Ignore Fake Account
IN SHORT: A Facebook page that claims to be running a phone giveaway by Nokia is a scam and not affiliated to the Nokia brand. The page uses a tactic called engagement bait to… Read more »
Kenya: Kenyans, Don't Fall for Scam Facebook Page Promising Huge Rewards for Joining the Illuminati
The Facebook page Freemason in Kenya promises huge cash rewards to people in Kenya willing to join the Illuminati. Read more »
Kenya: Is Kenyan Flour Miller UNGA Limited Urgently Hiring? No, Viral Job Ads On Facebook Are Fake
IN SHORT: Scammers often target those desperate for jobs with fake ads and use names of well-known companies. Kenyans, beware of this job scam. Read more »
Africa: No, WEF Can't 'Hack Your Dreams' to 'Fact-Check Your Subconscious' - Bizarre Claim Misuses Two-Year-Old U.S. Beer Ad Experiment
Is the hard work of fighting disinformation about to get easier with new World Economic Forum tech that can simply insert fact-checks into people's dreams? No, this scenario is a… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan Government Programme and Offering Loans
More and more Facebook pages falsely claim to offer loans to people in Kenya. Many even use the name of the government's Inua Jamii programme, but be careful of these scams. Read more »
June 08, 2023
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Is Not Dead
IN SHORT: The governor of Nigeria's southwestern Ondo state has been in poor health, but he is alive - despite online claims to the contrary. Read more »
Nigeria: Checking the BBC's Claims About Buhari's Poor Economic Legacy in Nigeria - and New President Tinubu's Headache
A series of reports published by the BBC in May 2023, during Nigeria's transition, made several claims about the country's economy. We checked some of them. Read more »
June 07, 2023
Africa: Factsheet - 'A Disease Nobody Should Die From' - What You Should Know About the Cholera Outbreak in South Africa
With over twenty dead at time of publication, the outbreak of the waterborne disease cholera has rattled an already battle-weary South Africa. What do the public need to know about… Read more »
May 31, 2023
Kenya: Kenyan President William Ruto Sparred With Journalists Over His Policies. Did He Get His Facts Right?
Ahead of his government's eagerly anticipated first annual budget, to be presented mid-June 2023, Ruto made a number of claims in a sit-down with journalists. How did he fare with… Read more »
Kenya: Did Kenya's Presidential Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed Resign Over 'Rampant Corruption' in Government? No, Ignore False Claim
IN SHORT: Following the recent resignation of a principal secretary in Kenya, false claims have been made on social media that other government officials have resigned. But Hussein… Read more »
South Africa: No Vampires Here - South Africans Don't Usually Pay for Blood Transfusions and Aren't Paid to Donate
IN SHORT: South Africans were understandably alarmed by rumours that they would have to pay over R3,000 per pint of blood if they needed a blood transfusion, even if they were… Read more »
Kenya: Don't Be Conned By Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan Actor Jackie Matubia
IN SHORT: Scammers in Kenya often impersonate celebrities to carry out their schemes. Read more »